Rímac River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rímac |
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The Rimac river running through Lima
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 Location of mouth
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| Country | Peru |
| Region | Department of Lima |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Nevado Paca Huarochirí Province, Peru 5,100 m (16,700 ft) |
| River mouth | Pacific Ocean Peru 11°56′50″S 76°42′29″W / 11.94730°S 76.70792°W |
| Length | 204 km (127 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 3,400 km2 (1,300 sq mi) |
| Tributaries |
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The Rímac River is a very important river in western Peru. It provides most of the potable water (drinking water) for the large cities of Lima and Callao.
This river is 204 kilometers (about 127 miles) long. It flows into the Pacific Ocean. The Rímac River starts high up in the mountains of the Huarochirí Province. Its journey ends in Callao, near the Jorge Chávez International Airport.
The name Rímac comes from the Quechua language. In Quechua, rimaq means "speaker" or "speaking". Because of this, the river is often called El Río Hablador, which means "the talking river".
Contents
Where Does the Rímac River Start and End?
The Rímac River begins its journey in the Huarochirí Province. This area is part of the Lima Region in Peru. The river's source is high in the Andes Mountains, specifically near Nevado Paca. This mountain peak is about 5,100 meters (16,732 feet) above sea level.
From these high mountains, the river flows down towards the coast. It travels through different landscapes. Finally, it reaches the Pacific Ocean in Callao. This is a major port city next to Lima.
Why Is the Rímac River So Important?
The Rímac River is super important for millions of people. It is the main source of fresh water for the Lima and Callao Metropolitan Area. This area is home to a huge number of people. They rely on the river for their daily water needs.
The river's water is treated to make it safe for drinking. Without the Rímac River, it would be very hard to supply enough water to these big cities. It supports homes, businesses, and industries.
What Does "The Talking River" Mean?
The nickname "El Río Hablador" (The Talking River) is quite interesting. It comes from the Quechua language, which is spoken by many native people in Peru. The word rimaq means "speaker" or "speaking."
People say the river "talks" because of the sound it makes. As the water flows over rocks and rapids, it can create sounds that might remind you of someone speaking or murmuring. It's a poetic way to describe the river's lively nature.
See also
In Spanish: Río Rímac para niños
